Pengkalan Hulu, formerly known as Kroh or Keroh, is a town within Hulu Perak district, in northern Perak, Malaysia bordering Thailand and also the state of Kedah. The nearest town on the Thai side is Betong in Yala province.

Although described as a border town, Pengkalan Hulu is 7km from the actual border which is located at Bukit Berapit, where the Malaysian customs, immigration and quarantine station is located.

Betong, Thailand

Betong (Thai: เบตง) is a town (thesaban mueang) in southern Thailand, near the boundary to Malaysia. It is the capital of Betong district, the southernmost district of Yala Province. As of 2005, the town has a population of 24,688.

Betong is the southernmost town of Thailand. Across the Malaysia-Thailand border by the Keroh pass is the state of Perak.

It is located in the south of Thailand. Very near to the border of Thailand and Malaysia.

Why Betong?

Although Betong is only a small town, there are a few reasons which I find it worth riding there at least once.

- It is nearer to Singapore than Hatyai
- The World Largest Mailbox is there
- The ONLY vehicle tunnel in the kingdom is in Betong
- There are many nice waterfalls
- There is a natural Hotspring.
- There is this historical tunnel dug up by the communist 1km long through the
mountain which is worth a visit.
- It is located in the mountain area so you will get nice scenery while riding to all the
interesting places.
- In order to get there, you will need to go on the "Gerik Highway" in Malaysia which
you will get good scenery too.

Most importantly
- Since it is located very near to the borders of Thailand and Malaysia, You get the best of both countries. For example,

- There are many Malays and Chinese locals. Indians too, although not alot.

- You will find both Chinese and Muslim food there besides the Thai food.

- Believe it or not Most of the Thai can either speak Malay & Thai or they can speak
chinese, cantonese and Thai. Of course, some of them can speak English.

- If you are a Chinese, the local be it Chinese or Thai will most of the time speak
cantonese to you as they will think that you are from Malaysia.

- If you are a Malay, the local be it Chinese or Thai will most of the time speak Malay
to you, as they will also think you are from Malaysia.

At the Thai immigration, you will have to park you bike at the side and walk to do the necessary. It is unlike Malaysia immigration where there is a drive through. There is no drive through at the Thai immigration.

You will need to go to this small office where you will show them your bike log card and they will reg your bike to ride in thai. Make sure they sign on this reg paper. Keep this paper well cause you will need to return it to them went you leave Thai. If you lose it, there will be a fine and you will need to make police report( if I am not wrong). You will also need to pay 20baht. Than you will go and fill in the Thai white card. After that, walk to the normal counter, show them you got all these and they will stamp your passport and you can now cross.

Note: you will only need to pay 20baht once. Either at the bike Reg office or at the counter where they stamp your passport.

To lessen the transportation problem in Betong, especially from the downtown to Aiyerberjang rd of a new established communtity, the ONLY vehicle tunnel in Thailand then was constructed. 268m long, 9m high, 7m wide. It was open on Jan 2001. Speed limit is 60km/hr. It became a tourist spot as it is the ONLY vehicle tunnel in the kingdom.

Its Pagoda of 39m width and 39.9m height, equally to a 13-story building, was constructed on a hill. Created in the applied art of Srivijaya, the pagoda is the most BEAUTIFUL and LARGEST in the south.

View from the top of the pagoda

The World Largest MailBox

Situated at the zone of the Clock Tower intersection which is the center of Betong. It was coinsrtucted of reinforced-concrete in a red cylinder of which has a base of 240cm at length and a height of 320cm. It is still in service as a normal mailbox till today.